Aranya Kaanda
112 - Sita's meeting with Anasuya (Atriís wife) and the latter's discourse on the duties of a devoted wife
Chaupais
Description
Then Sita, who was so good natured and modest, met Anasuya ( Atri's wife ) and clasped her feet. The sage's wife felt extremely pleased at heart; she blessed Her and seating Her by her side arrayed Her in heavenly robes and ornaments that remained ever new, clean and charming. In affectionate and mild tones the holy woman then proceeded to discourse on some wifely virtues, making Her an occasion for such discourse: " Listen, O Princess: a mother, father and brother are all kind to us; but they bestow only limited joy. A husband, however, bestows unlimited joy (in the shape of blessedness), O Videha's daughter; vile is the woman who refuses to serve him. Fortitude, piety a friend and a wife-these four are put to the test only in times of adversity. A woman who treats her husband with disrespect-even though he is old, sick, dull-headed, indigent, blind, deaf, wrathful or most wretched-shall suffer various torments in hell (the abode of Yama). Devotion of body, speech and mind to her lord's feet is the only duty, sacred vow and penance of a woman. There are four types of faithful wives in this world: so declare the Vedas, the Puranas and all the saints. A woman of the best type is convinced in her heart of hearts that she cannot even dream in this world of a man other than her lord. The middling regards another's husband as her own brother, father or son ( according to his age). She who is restrained by considerations of virtue or by the thought of her race is declared by the Vedas as a low woman. And know her to be the lowest woman in this world, who is restrained only by fear and want of opportunity. The woman who deceives her husband and loves a paramour is cast for a hundred cycles into the worst form of hell known by the name of Raurava. Who is so depraved as the woman who for the sake of a moment's pleasure reckons not the torment that shall endure for a thousand million births! The woman who sincerely takes a vow of fidelity to her husband easily attains the highest state; while she who is disloyal to her lord is widowed as soon as she attains her youth wherever she may be reborn.